Category Archives: Reviews

Labyrinth Lost

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Katy K.

A Brooklyn teen must come to terms with her inherited bruja powers in this Cybils young adult speculative fiction finalist. Continue reading →

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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Katy K.

This is one I heard about from British bookish folk, and then had to wait a very long time for it to come out in the U.S., where it just came out last year, and a bit longer for it to … Continue reading →

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Towers Falling

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Katy K.

I was interested to see what the author of Cybils finalist Bayou Magic would do with the topic of September 11, just recently far enough in the past for students to need to learn about it in school. Towers Falling … Continue reading →

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Evil Wizard Smallbone

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Katy K.

Today, a review of a Cybils Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist. The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman. Candlewick, 2017. Nick Reynaud’s life has been harsh since his mother died, leaving him in the hands of his uncle and cousin Jerry, … Continue reading →

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Two Naomis

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Katy K.

Tomorrow is Cybils Day!  I’m still reading finalists at home and am happy to report that my daughter gave two thumbs up to Early Chapter Books Finalists Weekends with Max and His Dad by Linda Urban. Thanks once again to … Continue reading →

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Sacrifice

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Katy K.

Sacrifice by Cindy Pon. Month9Books, 2016. Cindy Pon’s previous book, Serpentine, ended on a dramatic cliff hanger, leaving me waiting a year to find out what would happen next.  If you haven’t yet read Serpentine, you might wish to do … Continue reading →

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The Firefly Code

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Katy K.

It was a little jarring after two years on the Round One panel for the Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction to find that I had read only half of the finalists.  Here’s one that I had read, thanks to Brandy … Continue reading →

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Me and Marvin Gardens and Ninja Librarians: The Sword in the Stacks

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Katy K.

Here are two recent middle grade books that I was inspired to read by Kidlitcon, as both of these authors were there. Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King. Arthur A. Levine Books, January 31, 2017. I received this … Continue reading →

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Rebellion of Thieves

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Katy K.

Rebellion of Thieves. Robyn Hoodlum Book 2 by Kekla Magoon. Bloomsbury, 2016. The adventures of Robyn Hoodlum, a Robin Hood for a dystopian future which began in Shadows of Sherwood continue!  Robyn’s done a great job of spreading awareness of … Continue reading →

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3 Middle Grade Fantasies: the Left-Handed Fate, Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, When the Sea Turned to Silver

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Katy K.

The Left-Handed Fate by Kate Milford. Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Henry Holt, 2016. It’s a little hard for me to review this books in part because of how deeply I fell for it.  The year is 1812, and Lucy, the … Continue reading →

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